Umbrella with Retractable Cover that can be Hidden

ABSTRACT

An umbrella includes a base unit, a mounting sleeve, a lid, a cover, and a locking unit. The base unit includes a handle provided with at least one limit portion which has a first positioning limit section and a second positioning limit section. The mounting sleeve is mounted on the handle, with a storage space being defined between the bottom of the handle and the bottom of the mounting sleeve to receive the cover. The mounting sleeve has an inner periphery provided with at least one snapping portion slidable in the limit portion and limited between the first positioning limit section and the second positioning limit section. The lid is pivotally connected with the mounting sleeve. The cover is attached to the bottom of the handle and is received in the storage space.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention

The present invention relates to an umbrella and, more particularly, to an umbrella with a retractable cover that can be hidden.

2. Description of the Related Art

A conventional umbrella in accordance with the prior art shown in FIGS. 1 and 2 comprises a cover 1 a, a handle 2 a, a post 3 a, a shank 5 a, and a connecting seat 4 a. The connecting seat 4 a is mounted on the bottom of the shank 5 a and has a bottom provided with a hollow portion 41 a which has an internal thread. The post 3 a has an external thread 31 a screwed into the hollow portion 41 a of the connecting seat 4 a. The post 3 a has a periphery provided with a through hole 32 a and an annular groove 33 a. The cover 1 a has an opened end secured on the post 3 a a by a C-shaped snap ring 34 a which clamps the annular groove 33 a of the post 3 a. The cover 1 a has a closed end provided with a zipper 11 a which defines a breach 12 a. The cover 1 a has a side provided with a channel 13 a to allow passage of a cord 14 a. The cord 14 a has an upper end extending into and secured in the through hole 32 a of the post 3 a to secure the cord 14 a to the post 3 a. The cord 14 a has a lower free end which is together with the closed end of the cover 1 a to pass through a hollow interior of the handle 2 a and extend outward from the bottom of the handle 2 a. The handle 2 a has a top mounted on the connecting seat 4 a and has a bottom combined with a base 21 a. The cover 1 a is entirely received in the handle 2 a and is provided with a string 15 a secured to the base 21 a of the handle 2 a. In practice, a user can open the umbrella for use as shown in FIG. 2. After the umbrella is folded, the base 21 a is removed from the handle 2 a so that the cover 1 a is drawn outward and is exposed from the handle 2 a as shown in FIG. 2 a. Then, the cover 1 a is inverted upward to cover the handle 2 a and the shank 5 a so that the umbrella is received in the cover 1 a as shown in FIG. 2 b. However, the zipper 11 a is easily torn or worn out during a long-term utilization. In addition, the string 15 a is easily broken due to frequent pulling actions so that the base 21 a will be detached and lost. Further, the cover 1 a is formed with the channel 13 a by sewing, thereby increasing the working procedure and cost of fabrication. Further, the cover 1 a is easily hooked by the C-shaped snap ring 34 a due to reciprocal pulling and stretching. Further, the handle 2 a has a hollow interior to receive the cover 1 a so that the volume of the cover 1 a is enlarged, thereby increasing the cost of fabrication.

BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

In accordance with the present invention, there is provided an umbrella comprising a base unit, a mounting sleeve, a lid, a cover, and a locking unit. The base unit includes a handle and a shank connected with the handle. The handle of the base unit has a bottom provided with a locking portion. The handle of the base unit is provided with at least one limit portion which has a top provided with a first positioning limit section and a bottom provided with a second positioning limit section. The mounting sleeve has an interior provided with a hollow. The mounting sleeve has a top provided with an upper opening and a bottom provided with a lower opening. The mounting sleeve is mounted on the handle, with the handle being partially received in the hollow of the mounting sleeve and partially protrudes outward from the hollow of the mounting sleeve. Thus, a storage space is defined in the hollow of the mounting sleeve between the bottom of the handle and the bottom of the mounting sleeve to receive the cover. The mounting sleeve has an inner periphery provided with at least one snapping portion slidable in the limit portion of the handle and limited between the first positioning limit section and the second positioning limit section of the limit portion. The lid is pivotally connected with the mounting sleeve and covers the lower opening of the mounting sleeve. The cover is attached to the bottom of the handle and is received in the storage space. According to the primary advantage of the present invention, the mounting sleeve is movable relative to the handle to displace the snapping portion in the limit portion, so that when the snapping portion of the mounting sleeve is moved to abut the first positioning limit section of the limit portion, the cover is pressed to expose outward for enclosing the umbrella, and when the snapping portion of the mounting sleeve is moved to abut the second positioning limit section of the limit portion, the storage space is formed between the bottom of the handle and the bottom of the mounting sleeve to receive the cover.

Further benefits and advantages of the present invention will become apparent after a careful reading of the detailed description with appropriate reference to the accompanying drawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE SEVERAL VIEWS OF THE DRAWING(S)

FIG. 1 is an exploded perspective view of a conventional umbrella in accordance with the prior art.

FIG. 2 is a perspective assembly view of the conventional umbrella as shown in FIG. 1.

FIG. 2a is an operational view of the conventional umbrella as shown in FIG. 2.

FIG. 2b is a folded view of the conventional umbrella as shown in

FIG. 2 a.

FIG. 3 is an exploded perspective view of an umbrella in accordance with the preferred embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 4 is a perspective assembly view of the umbrella as shown in FIG. 3.

FIG. 5 is a cross-sectional view of the umbrella as shown in FIG. 4.

FIG. 6 is a schematic operational view of the umbrella as shown in FIG. 5.

FIG. 7 is a schematic operational view of the umbrella as shown in FIG. 6.

FIG. 8 is a cross-sectional view of an umbrella in accordance with another preferred embodiment of the present invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

Referring to the drawings and initially to FIGS. 3-5, an umbrella in accordance with the preferred embodiment of the present invention comprises a base unit 30, a mounting sleeve 40, a lid 46, a cover 50, and a locking unit.

The base unit 30 includes a handle 31 and a shank 32 connected with an upper end of the handle 31. The handle 31 of the base unit 30 has a surface provided with a start switch button 311 and has a bottom provided with a locking portion 314. Preferably, the locking portion 314 is a screw hole. The handle 31 of the base unit 30 has a mediate portion provided with at least one limit portion “B” which has a top provided with a first positioning limit section 312 and a bottom provided with a second positioning limit section 313.

Preferably, the limit portion “B” of the handle 31 is an elongate slot. In the preferred embodiment of the present invention, the handle 31 has two opposite limit portions “B”.

The mounting sleeve 40 has an interior provided with a hollow 42. The mounting sleeve 40 has a top provided with an upper opening 41 and a bottom provided with a lower opening 45. The mounting sleeve 40 has a diameter slightly larger than that of the handle 31 and has a shape corresponding to that of the handle 31. The mounting sleeve 40 is mounted on the handle 31 so that the handle 31 is partially received in the hollow 42 of the mounting sleeve 40 and partially protrudes outward from the hollow 42 of the mounting sleeve 40. Thus, a storage space “A” is defined in the hollow 42 of the mounting sleeve 40 between the bottom of the handle 31 and the bottom of the mounting sleeve 40 to receive the cover 50. The mounting sleeve 40 has an outer periphery provided with a positioning pin 44 which is located adjacent to the lower opening 45. The mounting sleeve 40 has an inner periphery provided with at least one snapping portion 43 slidable in the limit portion “B” of the handle 31 and limited between the first positioning limit section 312 and the second positioning limit section 313 of the limit portion “B”. The snapping portion 43 of the mounting sleeve 40 is located adjacent to the upper opening 41. In the preferred embodiment of the present invention, the mounting sleeve 40 has two opposite snapping portions 43. The lid 46 is pivotally connected with the mounting sleeve 40 and covers the lower opening 45 of the mounting sleeve 40. The lid 46 has a periphery provided with a pivotable snap ring 461 detachably locked onto the positioning pin 44 of the mounting sleeve 40.

The cover 50 is attached to the bottom of the handle 31 and is received in the storage space “A”. The cover 50 is made of a waterproof cloth and has a first end provided with a closed portion 51 secured on the locking portion 314 of the handle 31 by the locking unit and a second end provided with an opened binding band 52 which has a strap 53.

The locking unit includes a locking member 60 and a washer 61. Preferably, the locking member 60 is a screw. The locking member 60 extends through the washer 61 and the closed portion 51 of the cover 50 and is locked onto the locking portion 314 of the handle 31 to attach the closed portion 51 of the cover 50 to the handle 31.

In assembly, the locking member 60 extends through the washer 61 and the closed portion 51 of the cover 50 and is screwed into the locking portion 314 of the handle 31 to secure the closed portion 51 of the cover 50 to the bottom of the handle 31. Then, the mounting sleeve 40 is mounted on the handle 31 from the upper opening 41, with the snapping portion 43 of the mounting sleeve 40 being snapped into the limit portion “B” of the handle 31, so that the snapping portion 43 of the mounting sleeve 40 is slidable in the limit portion “B” of the handle 31 and is limited between the first positioning limit section 312 and the second positioning limit section 313 of the limit portion “B”. Then, the mounting sleeve 40 is pulled downward relative to the handle 31, and the snapping portion 43 of the mounting sleeve 40 is moved downward to abut the second positioning limit section 313 of the limit portion “B”, so that the handle 31 is partially received in the hollow 42 of the mounting sleeve 40 and partially protrudes outward from the hollow 42 of the mounting sleeve 40 as shown in FIG. 5 to form the storage space “A” between the bottom of the handle 31 and the bottom of the mounting sleeve 40 to receive the cover 50. Finally, the lid 46 covers the lower opening 45 of the mounting sleeve 40, and the snap ring 461 of the lid 46 is pivoted and locked onto the positioning pin 44 of the mounting sleeve 40. In operation, referring to FIGS. 6 and 7 with reference to FIGS. 3-5, the snap ring 461 of the lid 46 is detached from the positioning pin 44 of the mounting sleeve 40 to unlock the lid 46, so that the lid 46 can be pivoted outward from the mounting sleeve 40 as shown in FIG. 6 to open the lower opening 45 of the mounting sleeve 40. Then, the mounting sleeve 40 is pushed upward relative to the handle 31 as shown in FIG. 6, and the snapping portion 43 of the mounting sleeve 40 is moved upward to abut the first positioning limit section 312 of the limit portion “B”, so that the handle 31 is fully retracted into and received in the hollow 42 of the mounting sleeve 40 to compress the storage space “A”, and the cover 50 is pressed downward by the handle 31 and protrudes and exposes outward from the lower opening 45 of the mounting sleeve 40. Then, the cover 50 is inverted upward to enclose the lid 46, the mounting sleeve 40 and the base unit 30 so that the whole umbrella is covered completely by the cover 50 as shown in FIG. 7. At this time, the lid 46 is driven by the cover 50 to abut the mounting sleeve 40. Then, the binding band 52 is tightened, and the strap 53 protrudes from the cover 50, thereby facilitating the user carrying and storing the umbrella.

When the user wishes to fold the cover 50, the binding band 52 is loosened, and the cover 50 is inverted downward. Then, the mounting sleeve 40 is pulled downward relative to the handle 31, and the snapping portion 43 of the mounting sleeve 40 is moved downward to abut the second positioning limit section 313 of the limit portion “B”, so that the handle 31 is partially received in the hollow 42 of the mounting sleeve 40 and partially protrudes outward from the hollow 42 of the mounting sleeve 40 as shown in FIG. 5 to form the storage space “A” between the bottom of the handle 31 and the bottom of the mounting sleeve 40 to receive the cover 50. Finally, the lid 46 covers the lower opening 45 of the mounting sleeve 40, and the snap ring 461 of the lid 46 is pivoted and locked onto the positioning pin 44 of the mounting sleeve 40 so that the cover 50 is stored in the mounting sleeve 40.

Referring to FIG. 8, the umbrella further comprises at least one elastic member 54 mounted on the cover 50, and a buckle 55 mounted on the binding band 52. The elastic member 54 has a first end secured to the closed portion 51 of the cover 50 and a second end secured to the binding band 52. When the cover 50 is expanded and pulled upward, the elastic member 54 is pulled and extended to store a restoring force, and the buckle 55 binds the binding band 52 and tightens the elastic member 54. When the user wishes to fold the cover 50, the buckle 55 is pulled out so that the cover 50 is driven by the restoring force of the elastic member 54 and is retracted into the mounting sleeve 40 automatically.

Accordingly, the mounting sleeve 40 is movable relative to the handle 31 to displace the snapping portion 43 in the limit portion “B”, so that when the snapping portion 43 of the mounting sleeve 40 is moved to abut the first positioning limit section 312 of the limit portion “B”, the cover 50 is pressed to expose outward for enclosing the umbrella, and when the snapping portion 43 of the mounting sleeve 40 is moved to abut the second positioning limit section 313 of the limit portion “B”, the storage space “A” is formed between the bottom of the handle 31 and the bottom of the mounting sleeve 40 to receive the cover 50.

Although the invention has been explained in relation to its preferred embodiment(s) as mentioned above, it is to be understood that many other possible modifications and variations can be made without departing from the scope of the present invention. It is, therefore, contemplated that the appended claim or claims will cover such modifications and variations that fall within the true scope of the invention. 

1. An umbrella comprising: a base unit, a mounting sleeve, a lid, a cover, and a locking unit; wherein: the base unit includes a handle and a shank connected with the handle; the handle of the base unit has a bottom provided with a locking portion; the handle of the base unit is provided with at least one limit portion which has a top provided with a first positioning limit section and a bottom provided with a second positioning limit section; the mounting sleeve has an interior provided with a hollow; the mounting sleeve has a top provided with an upper opening and a bottom provided with a lower opening; the mounting sleeve is mounted on the handle, with the handle being partially received in the hollow of the mounting sleeve and partially protrudes outward from the hollow of the mounting sleeve; a storage space is defined in the hollow of the mounting sleeve between the bottom of the handle and the bottom of the mounting sleeve to receive the cover; the mounting sleeve has an inner periphery provided with at least one snapping portion slidable in the limit portion of the handle and limited between the first positioning limit section and the second positioning limit section of the limit portion; the lid is pivotally connected with the mounting sleeve and covers the lower opening of the mounting sleeve; and the cover is attached to the bottom of the handle and is received in the storage space.
 2. The umbrella of claim 1, wherein the mounting sleeve has a diameter slightly larger than that of the handle and has a shape corresponding to that of the handle.
 3. The umbrella of claim 1, wherein: the mounting sleeve has an outer periphery provided with a positioning pin; and the lid has a periphery provided with a pivotable snap ring detachably locked onto the positioning pin of the mounting sleeve.
 4. The umbrella of claim 1, wherein: the cover is made of a waterproof cloth and has a first end provided with a closed portion secured on the locking portion of the handle by the locking unit and a second end provided with an opened binding band which has a strap; the locking unit includes a locking member and a washer; and the locking member extends through the washer and the closed portion of the cover and is locked onto the locking portion of the handle to attach the closed portion of the cover to the handle.
 5. The umbrella of claim 1, wherein the limit portion of the handle is an elongate slot.
 6. The umbrella of claim 1, wherein: the umbrella further comprises at least one elastic member mounted on the cover, and a buckle mounted on the binding band; and the elastic member has a first end secured to the closed portion of the cover and a second end secured to the binding band. 